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CarGuru > Mazda > What am I missing? 1 March 2005 18:02:54
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What am I missing?

Randy Maheux 23 February 2005 17:24:02
 In 5 weeks I will be moving from San Diego to the Daytona Beach area. My
problem is getting my Miata back east. I could drive it in 4 - 12 hour days
or pay Mayflower to haul it with my furniture. Nine years ago I was a
zombie after driving a Ford Ranger from Tampa to San Diego in 4 days. Now,
at age 60, I am really tempted to let the movers do it. Using Mayflower
adds $600 to the cost but the thought of 45 hours in a car that I can't take
a nap in seems daunting. I might even come to hate my dual exhaust by the
time I got there!

My thinking seems stuck on weighing the cost against the discomfort.
Perhaps, someone in the group can give me other factors to consider or
things to look out for if I decide to ship the car. I could really use some
group wisdom on this....



Add comment
Phil 23 February 2005 21:38:13 [ permanent link ]
 Randy Maheux wrote:> Using Mayflower> adds $600 to the cost but the thought of 45 hours in a car...

That comes to just $13.33/hour. If you include the non-driving time
during the trip [toatal ~84 hours - morning of the first day through
evening of the fourth] the cost drops to just over $7 an hour. Is your
time more valuable than that? Not to mention the 'car lag' from long
days driving.

Add comment
Chief_Wiggum 23 February 2005 22:18:00 [ permanent link ]
 PLUS the peace of mind. If you break down, get a flat, hit bad weather, or
(god forbid) get in an accident, then the value of shipping it goes up
exponentially!

Add to that, the extra miles you WON'T be putting on the car, and I think
it's a bargain!.


"Phil" <pedpkahl@isl.net> wrote in message
news:1109180292.999­741.143820@f14g2000c­wb.googlegroups.com.­..> Randy Maheux wrote:> > Using Mayflower> > adds $600 to the cost but the thought of 45 hours in a car...>
That comes to just $13.33/hour. If you include the non-driving time> during the trip [toatal ~84 hours - morning of the first day through> evening of the fourth] the cost drops to just over $7 an hour. Is your> time more valuable than that? Not to mention the 'car lag' from long> days driving.>


Add comment
Natman 23 February 2005 23:03:22 [ permanent link ]
 On 23 Feb 2005 09:38:13 -0800, "Phil" <pedpkahl@isl.net> wrote:
Randy Maheux wrote:>> Using Mayflower>> adds $600 to the cost but the thought of 45 hours in a car...>
That comes to just $13.33/hour. If you include the non-driving time>during the trip [toatal ~84 hours - morning of the first day through>evening of the fourth] the cost drops to just over $7 an hour. Is your>time more valuable than that? Not to mention the 'car lag' from long>days driving.>
Also subtract $200+ for gas and three nights of motels.
Add comment
HardwareLust 23 February 2005 23:17:07 [ permanent link ]
 
"Randy Maheux" <randymaheux@cox.ne­t> wrote in message
news:Wt%Sd.137540$6­u.74566@fed1read02..­.> In 5 weeks I will be moving from San Diego to the Daytona Beach area. My> problem is getting my Miata back east. I could drive it in 4 - 12 hour
days> or pay Mayflower to haul it with my furniture. Nine years ago I was a> zombie after driving a Ford Ranger from Tampa to San Diego in 4 days.
Now,> at age 60, I am really tempted to let the movers do it. Using Mayflower> adds $600 to the cost but the thought of 45 hours in a car that I can't
take> a nap in seems daunting. I might even come to hate my dual exhaust by the> time I got there!>
My thinking seems stuck on weighing the cost against the discomfort.> Perhaps, someone in the group can give me other factors to consider or> things to look out for if I decide to ship the car. I could really use
some> group wisdom on this....

Randy, I'm 20+ years younger than you, and there's no way in hell that I
would want to drive my NB Miata for 45 hours. I once drove to my mom's
house about 15 hours away in my NA, and I swore I would never do that again.
I couldn't imagine doing a 45 hour drive.

Think of it this way...how much is your time worth? $600 / 45 hours =
$13.33 an hour. I would gladly pay someone $13 an hour to get 45 hours of
my life back. Also, don't forget driving the old girl ain't free. I'd
figure it'd cost you, what, $200-ish just in gas, plus motel(s) and food?
So, by driving you're only really saving maybe 1/2 of that $600 or less,
plus you're out 45 hours of your time, which you will never get back.

Now, if you had the extra time, and could take your sweet time doing it,
driving coast-to-coast could be fun, if you had time to stop along the way,
take interesting back roads, etc. But if you're just going to drone on down
the big freeway at max speed just to get there, then I say ship the darn
thing. $600 ain't a bad price to have your car shipped, either, so it's not
like they're ripping you off on the price.

It sounds simple to me. Ship it, and enjoy the reunion when you get to
sunny Florida.

Regards,
H.


Add comment
Bgt 23 February 2005 23:43:27 [ permanent link ]
 
"HardwareLust" <n00ne@n0where.c0m>­ wrote in message
news:TE4Td.38384$uc­.12964@trnddc08...>
"Randy Maheux" <randymaheux@cox.ne­t> wrote in message> news:Wt%Sd.137540$6­u.74566@fed1read02..­.>> In 5 weeks I will be moving from San Diego to the Daytona Beach area. My>> problem is getting my Miata back east. I could drive it in 4 - 12 hour> days>> or pay Mayflower to haul it with my furniture. Nine years ago I was a>> zombie after driving a Ford Ranger from Tampa to San Diego in 4 days.> Now,>> at age 60, I am really tempted to let the movers do it. Using Mayflower>> adds $600 to the cost but the thought of 45 hours in a car that I can't> take>> a nap in seems daunting. I might even come to hate my dual exhaust by >> the>> time I got there!>>
My thinking seems stuck on weighing the cost against the discomfort.>> Perhaps, someone in the group can give me other factors to consider or>> things to look out for if I decide to ship the car. I could really use> some>> group wisdom on this....>
Randy, I'm 20+ years younger than you, and there's no way in hell that I> would want to drive my NB Miata for 45 hours. I once drove to my mom's> house about 15 hours away in my NA, and I swore I would never do that > again.> I couldn't imagine doing a 45 hour drive.>
Think of it this way...how much is your time worth? $600 / 45 hours => $13.33 an hour. I would gladly pay someone $13 an hour to get 45 hours of> my life back. Also, don't forget driving the old girl ain't free. I'd> figure it'd cost you, what, $200-ish just in gas, plus motel(s) and food?> So, by driving you're only really saving maybe 1/2 of that $600 or less,> plus you're out 45 hours of your time, which you will never get back.>
Now, if you had the extra time, and could take your sweet time doing it,> driving coast-to-coast could be fun, if you had time to stop along the > way,> take interesting back roads, etc. But if you're just going to drone on > down> the big freeway at max speed just to get there, then I say ship the darn> thing. $600 ain't a bad price to have your car shipped, either, so it's > not> like they're ripping you off on the price.>
It sounds simple to me. Ship it, and enjoy the reunion when you get to> sunny Florida.>
Regards,> H.>

I'm sorta in the other camp, I'd suggest leaving the car with a friend
during your move, then go back and get it if you can make time for a road
trip. I bought my Miata in socal and drove it home over three days (I'm
North of the Border in the Great White North), not too bad, but if I had it
to do over again I'd take 5-7 days and make a holiday of it. Don't know if
the extended road trip can fit into your plans, but it can be a good way to
see the countryside. If there are time constraints ... no contest, just ship
it.

BGT


Add comment
Lumpen Proletariat 24 February 2005 05:08:52 [ permanent link ]
 On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 22:34:25 GMT, nat_mann@yahoo.com (Natman) wrote:
On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 22:13:19 +0200, "gixer" <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:>
I can't believe you guys,>>
Its a long way sure but if you take your time, book some extra days and >>break the trip up, call it a holiday and drive it mate.>>
Lest see: - The Movahe prety much sucks, Meander North to Vegas
Take the Hoover Dam tour. Narly curvy roads round lake mead.

On to the Grand Canyon - a religious experience. Then pick amongst

Momunemt Valley, The Painted Desert, See the Pueblo/ Anastasy ruins.

Choose El Paso and a quick run to San Antone, stop at Tombstone, or
Langry (pretty godforsaken) and Remember the Alamo in San Antone.
(Ybut you will go through the Sonoran Desert and will hit West Texas
when the spring flowers are out.)

Or stay on 1-20 and move to I-10 accross the Texas back state roads
thought the panhandle onto the Texas Hill country. Time it to see the
Blue Bonnets and truly gorgeous country. That gets you down to
Housnton. Great Tex Mex - Papasitos, Great Stakes - A Taste of Texas
off I-10.

In Houston,detour to San Jacinto, where Sam Houston routed the Mexican
Army and created the Republic, and haul accross the Sabine. Lunch in
Lafayette (some good Cajun Cuisine). Cross the Atchafalaya onto Baton
Rouge, or go down I-90 to Morgan City past the sugar cane fields and
enter New Orleans from the Houma side. A beautiful ride that takes
you on the edge of the Delta - you must have some cajun music to play
along the way, I guarantee!.

Hurricane at Pat O'Briens, dinner at Commander's Palace (reservations
strongly recommended) Or Chez Paul, wander the quarter for the evening
and cest le bons temps roulez.

On to Biloxi and Mobile cross the bay and you are in Florida. haul
all the way to Jacksonville its a long binrg drive.

It's a beautiful contry and you only live once or put the car in the
trailer and regret it.

- 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed.

Add comment
Guest 24 February 2005 09:32:52 [ permanent link ]
 lumpen_proletariat@y­ahoo.com wrote:
Take the Hoover Dam tour. Narly curvy roads round lake mead.> On to the Grand Canyon - a religious experience...> Momunemt Valley, The Painted Desert, See the Pueblo...> Choose El Paso and a quick run to San Antonio...> Hurricane at Pat O'Briens, dinner at Commander's Palace ...>
It's a beautiful country...

Yes it is! Thanks for a great post!

Add comment
Natman 24 February 2005 20:41:34 [ permanent link ]
 On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 12:45:01 +0200, "gixer" <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:
Hi Natman,>
When I left school a group of us decided to ride from New York to San >Francisco on push bikes, if memory serves it took us about 8 months off and >on, as we had to stop occasionally to earn some money to complete the rest >of the trip, we got into major problems with immigration and to be >completely truthful we did not ride all the way, as we occasionally hitched >or jumped on trains, but most of us managed to do around 80% of the riding.>We camped probably 95% of the time, the only real problems that really come >to mind was carrying all that bloody water around, and spending 10 days at >San Francisco airport getting lectures from immigration.>
I trust your judgement that the straight route from Athens to UK would be >around half that from California to Florida,>But firstly, we have never done the straight route, we have done the trip >via Bucharest and Gdansk, another time we took the ferry from Plymouth to >Bilbao and drove down to Madrid, took in the GP at Valencia and drove back >via the coast.>And secondly apart from the first trip which was from the UK where I bought >my car to Greece where I now live, we have always had to go back to Greece >again which doubles the distance.>
Everyone has different circumstances, goals and opinions, and I can >understand why someone would save their own time by shipping the car, but if >it was me I would want to drive it.>I think it would be an extremely memorable adventure, and what is life if >its not an Adventure?>
Cheers Mark.>
Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not opposed to having a fun road
trip or the spirit of adventure. It's just that California - Florida
is a LONG trip, and if you throw in side trips and sightseeing it will
take two or three weeks easily, which the original poster may not
have, since he's moving, not planning a vacation. If he has the time
and the money for weeks of hotels, great. Trust me, your perspective
on camping out changes between ages 20 and 60.

That said, no matter how you slice it driving across the U.S.A. WILL
involve long stretchs of driving on a road that goes straight ahead
for as far as you can see, and goes straight behind for as far as your
mirror can show. The Miata is highly specialized for good handling.
The tight cockpit, firm ride, lack of luggage space and high RPM at 70
mph don't matter when you are tossing it around on a twisty road.

Challenge: Name a car produced since 1990, with comprable equipment,
that would be LESS suitable for long distance freeway driving than the
Miata.

Geo Metro maybe?

Add comment
Grant Edwards 24 February 2005 23:39:29 [ permanent link ]
 On 2005-02-24, gixer <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:
I don't know mate I cannot ever imagine a circumstance that> would make me ship are car as opposed to drive it,

You've got 48 hours to get somewhere 5000km away.

You're going to drive?!?!

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! My haircut is totally
at traditional!
visi.com
Add comment
Leon van Dommelen 25 February 2005 06:21:00 [ permanent link ]
 nat_mann@yahoo.com (Natman) wrote:
Challenge: Name a car produced since 1990, with comprable equipment,>that would be LESS suitable for long distance freeway driving than the>Miata.

1) Go to www.edmunds.com.
2) Select manufacturer; use US type for best results.
3) Select model.
4) Repeat 2 and 3 10 times.
You now have at least 9 examples.

I would rather drive marathon freeways in my Miata than take a
passenger plane cross country, if I can manage the additional
three days.

Never thought I would completely agree with Mark on anything. :)­

Leon

--
Leon van Dommelen :)­ Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen­.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)
Add comment
Leon van Dommelen 25 February 2005 06:24:18 [ permanent link ]
 Grant Edwards <grante@visi.com> wrote:
Your assumptions are utterly unrealistic for everybody _I_ know>who works for a living in the US.

I am on a sabbatical this year.

Leon
--
Leon van Dommelen ;) Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata ,)
rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen­.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)

Add comment
Ken Lyons 26 February 2005 01:15:47 [ permanent link ]
 "Natman" <nat_mann@yahoo.com­> wrote> What exactly are the qualities of a VW Beetle that make it unsuitable> for a long freeway trip?

I guess that depends on whether Mark was referring to the "real" Beetle or
the gussified VW Golf. Lack of horsepower, lack of air conditioning, poor
heating and constant rattle from corroded exhaust extensions are a few of
the reasons I can think of for the real Beetle.
--
Ken Lyons '97 Brilliant Black/'90 Classic Red
Inside the Beltway


Add comment
Leon van Dommelen 26 February 2005 05:30:07 [ permanent link ]
 Scott Hughes <ScottHughes12@msn.­com> wrote:
lumpen_proletariat­@yahoo.com wrote in >news:kj8q11d7unil1­m90q4gsvfin9optd24b2­c@4ax.com:>
Lest see: - The Movahe prety much sucks, Meander North to Vegas>> Take the Hoover Dam tour. Narly curvy roads round lake mead.>>
On to the Grand Canyon - a religious experience. Then pick amongst>>
Momunemt Valley, The Painted Desert, See the Pueblo/ Anastasy ruins.>>
Choose El Paso and a quick run to San Antone, stop at Tombstone, or>> Langry (pretty godforsaken) and Remember the Alamo in San Antone.>> (Ybut you will go through the Sonoran Desert and will hit West Texas>> when the spring flowers are out.)>>
Or stay on 1-20 and move to I-10 accross the Texas back state roads>> thought the panhandle onto the Texas Hill country. Time it to see the>> Blue Bonnets and truly gorgeous country. That gets you down to>> Housnton. Great Tex Mex - Papasitos, Great Stakes - A Taste of Texas>> off I-10. >>
In Houston,detour to San Jacinto, where Sam Houston routed the Mexican>> Army and created the Republic, and haul accross the Sabine. Lunch in>> Lafayette (some good Cajun Cuisine). Cross the Atchafalaya onto Baton>> Rouge, or go down I-90 to Morgan City past the sugar cane fields and>> enter New Orleans from the Houma side. A beautiful ride that takes>> you on the edge of the Delta - you must have some cajun music to play>> along the way, I guarantee!.>>
Hurricane at Pat O'Briens, dinner at Commander's Palace (reservations>> strongly recommended) Or Chez Paul, wander the quarter for the evening>> and cest le bons temps roulez.>>
On to Biloxi and Mobile cross the bay and you are in Florida. haul>> all the way to Jacksonville its a long binrg drive.>>
It's a beautiful contry and you only live once or put the car in the>> trailer and regret it.>>
- 2004 Titanium Mazdaspeed.>>
SD, CA to Datona Beach, FL : ~2500mi / 36hr (MS Mappoint estimate)>
Following the "scenic" route: ~3125mi / 56hr (Mappoint estimate)

Mileage is not really that relevant. Interstates do not have
all the delays. I invariably find that the scenic routes are
*much* more time consuming than mileage would indicate.
Unfortunately, since the OP didn't specify wether he had the option to >take some extra time to enjoy the trip, the discussion has digressed into >arguing about wether that's feasable. I think the point is, if you have >to get to point B in 48hrs, shipping is probably your best option.

To go San Diego to Daytona Beach in 48 hours may get you into
trouble with law enforcement, if you drive and live. :)­
Otoh, >IF YOU HAVE TIME, take it, enjoy it.>
Adding just an extra 600mi, this sounds like a pretty colorfull road->trip. Of course, the gap between the Painted Desert and Houston is >1300mi (roughly 22hrs). Probably would need another point of interest >for that section. One option would be Carlsbad Caverns (adding another ~>100mi), otherwise, I'm sure there's something worth looking at going thru >Albuquerque and Amarillo on your way to Dallas, where you could tour >Kennedy assasination tourist stuff. The other long stretch along the FL >panhandle could be prettied up a bit by detouring on HWY 98 to run along >the Gulf coast for a bit.

Yes, 98 is very pretty. It is my favorite route if I have to be
in Panama City. However, it does triple the 2 hour drive time.
And that two hours includes imbecilic cops who think the posted
speed limit is the speed *limit*.
-Scott> -94 Black> (and drooling over a friends 04 Ti MS)

Leon, needs to get a MS.

--
Leon van Dommelen :)­ Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen­.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)
Add comment
Grant Edwards 26 February 2005 21:09:25 [ permanent link ]
 On 2005-02-26, Chuck <cdkuder@nspmmsn.co­m> wrote:
My chief complaint on a long trip is the engine "drone". Since> my 99 was/is used for 500 mile or more (one way) trips, I> decided that short of earplugs, something was needed. First, I> installed the noise damping kit in the trunk.
[...]

Earplugs are a lot less work. :)­

I always wear earplugs for extended top-down driving, and
usually for extended cloth-top-up driving as well. The
hard-top is queit enough that it doesn't bother me.

You do have to turn the stereo up pretty high to hear it
through the earplugs...

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! YOW!!! I am having
at fun!!!
visi.com
Add comment
Guest 26 February 2005 22:37:11 [ permanent link ]
 On 26 Feb 2005 17:09:25 GMT, Grant Edwards <grante@visi.com> wrote:
r extended cloth-top-up driving as well. The>hard-top is queit enough that it doesn't bother me.>
You do have to turn the stereo up pretty high to hear it>through the earplugs...
Has anyone tried the active noise cancelling headphones. I noticed
that Sony's are now a stock item at Walmart at about 55. I was
thinknig about the Bose but at 300 and bannedby the nanny state is
certain locales, I don't know if they are worth it.
Add comment
Simply Pete 27 February 2005 01:27:41 [ permanent link ]
 
"Chuck" <cdkuder@nspmmsn.co­m> wrote in message
news:mV0Ud.2830$Hs.­1591@okepread04...>T­hen since my 99 is turbocharged, I changed the >tranny fifth gear ratio. (Noticeable improvement.)

pray tell, what/where was the source of parts for your tranny mod ???

Pete




Add comment
Leon van Dommelen 27 February 2005 19:54:25 [ permanent link ]
 Grant Edwards <grante@visi.com> wrote:
Do you guys add cola to Champaign?>
No! That would be waste of good cola.

Quite the wrong tone for Mark to take in a newsgroup with mostly
USAians. :)­
Chew on a stick of gum while eating caviar?>
I don't like cavier.

Gourmet US food is sugar and tomatoes, with sophisticated refinements
such as a dash of cheese, chicken, or tomato paste. We also like
pizza and Budweiser or Coors, which is haute cuisine, especially
with extra tomato sauce.

Quick food is ketchup with some bread and ground beef or salt and
beef byproducts. This can be upgraded by using gourmet ketchup,
which has more sugar.

Private@nowhere.lan­ wrote:
We put ICE in our tea.

And make it really good by adding enough saccharin to glue
it to the glass. Our hot drink is coffee, for which we
greatly prefer the instant version because it tastes better
and is quicker to make.

Now you know the reason why we are so paranoid about the
innocent noise levels produced by the Miata. We are panicked
about losing our hearing too, with our taste buds already gone.

Leon

--
Leon van Dommelen :)­ Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen­.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)
Add comment
Gixer 27 February 2005 21:49:20 [ permanent link ]
 Cheers Leon, its spooky how things suddenly fit into place after your
enlightenment.

I owe you a Beer dude.

To be honest English food is better but not by much, we have fish and chips,
Roast Beef with Yorkshire pudding, and not much else worth shouting about.

But the place can't be that bad I mean you did give us Dukes of Hazard,
Night Rider, Bifocal specs and so many brave Yanks gave up their everything
to bail out our broke asses during WWII.

As a small token or our appreciation we gave you, who wants to be a
millionaire, That American Idol thing, and the GT40.




"Leon van Dommelen" <rammm@REMOVE_THIS_­TAGdommelen.net> wrote in message
news:61r321dv3r4ngt­2cv5qoudqp9ppkurn0ab­@4ax.com...> Grant Edwards <grante@visi.com> wrote:>
Do you guys add cola to Champaign?>>
No! That would be waste of good cola.>
Quite the wrong tone for Mark to take in a newsgroup with mostly> USAians. :)­>
Chew on a stick of gum while eating caviar?>>
I don't like cavier.>
Gourmet US food is sugar and tomatoes, with sophisticated refinements> such as a dash of cheese, chicken, or tomato paste. We also like> pizza and Budweiser or Coors, which is haute cuisine, especially> with extra tomato sauce.>
Quick food is ketchup with some bread and ground beef or salt and> beef byproducts. This can be upgraded by using gourmet ketchup,> which has more sugar.>
Private@nowhere.lan­ wrote:>
We put ICE in our tea.>
And make it really good by adding enough saccharin to glue> it to the glass. Our hot drink is coffee, for which we> greatly prefer the instant version because it tastes better> and is quicker to make.>
Now you know the reason why we are so paranoid about the> innocent noise levels produced by the Miata. We are panicked> about losing our hearing too, with our taste buds already gone.>
Leon>
-- > Leon van Dommelen :)­ Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)> rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen­.net/miata> EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)


Add comment
Xs11e 28 February 2005 03:17:09 [ permanent link ]
 rammm@REMOVE_THIS_TA­Gdommelen.net (Leon van Dommelen) wrote in
news:61r321dv3r4ngt­2cv5qoudqp9ppkurn0ab­@4ax.com:
Now you know the reason why we are so paranoid about the> innocent noise levels produced by the Miata. We are panicked> about losing our hearing

LOSE OUR FEARING? IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID? CAN YOU SPEAK UP A LITTLE?
;-)­

Today I got one of them there Miata thingys but I have no worry about
my hearing since I've been shooting and motorcycling for 50+ years and
only heard about hearing protection recently.... <sigh>

BTW, I have to pick it up tomorrow, I drove over to buy it and they
couldn't drive me home until tomorrow...

I gotta say a Miata really isn't what I want but I can't ride any more
and the Miata is the closet thing I've found to a motorcycle..
Add comment
Leon van Dommelen 28 February 2005 03:28:48 [ permanent link ]
 nat_mann@yahoo.com (Natman) wrote:
On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 06:28:50 +0200, "gixer" <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:>
Guys its a open top sports car.>
It [the Miata] was designed to be noisy, that's part of the appeal of a sports car.>
gixer 2/26/05>
Before we purchased our Miata's we knew that it was an open top sports car, >
gixer 2/26/05>
A Miata is not, has not, and never will be a dedicated sports car>
gixer 2/26/05>
I'm getting dizzy.

Why? They are all true and consistent statements. It seems to
me he did a turn-about on the ear plugs, but not here.

Leon

--
Leon van Dommelen :)­ Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen­.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)
Add comment


Natman 28 February 2005 04:55:14 [ permanent link ]
 On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 23:28:48 GMT, rammm@REMOVE_THIS_T­AGdommelen.net
(Leon van Dommelen) wrote:
nat_mann@yahoo.com­ (Natman) wrote:>
On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 06:28:50 +0200, "gixer" <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:>>
Guys its a open top sports car.>>
It [the Miata] was designed to be noisy, that's part of the appeal of a sports car.>>
gixer 2/26/05>>
Before we purchased our Miata's we knew that it was an open top sports car, >>
gixer 2/26/05>>
A Miata is not, has not, and never will be a dedicated sports car>>
gixer 2/26/05>>
I'm getting dizzy. >
Why? They are all true and consistent statements. It seems to>me he did a turn-about on the ear plugs, but not here.>
Leon
First it is a sports car, then it isn't. I suppose the word
"dedicated" might make some difference.


Add comment
Bruce Haskin 28 February 2005 07:20:34 [ permanent link ]
 WOW ! That is a lot of seat time !

Let's see, If you drove 8 hr's a day 5 days a week, that's 2080 hours a
year and you needed to stop for gas, eat and pee, plus start and stop,
you needed to average 28.846153 miles per hour. [ it is hard to average
much faster than that, no matter where you drive ] You must have a good
paying job on the week-ends to do that ! :-)­

Bruce RED '91

Add comment


Eric Baber 28 February 2005 12:43:32 [ permanent link ]
 
I gotta say a Miata really isn't what I want but I can't ride any more> and the Miata is the closet thing I've found to a motorcycle..

Excellent choice. I had to sell my Ducati Monster and got a Miata for the
same reason; I haven't regretted it (much). That's to say that I haven't
regretted buying the Miata, though I have regretted having to sell the Duc.
Oh well.

Enjoy the Miata - and keep your leather jacket or whatever you used to wear
on the bike, and the earplugs; they'll come in handy when you're driving
with the top down in sub-freezing temperatures :-)­

Eric


Add comment
Gixer 28 February 2005 16:58:28 [ permanent link ]
 I wonder how many x-bikers bought Miatas?

That's the reason I bought one too, had a really big crash, paralysed me
left arm,
I still ride but it's just not the same, because I do not have the same
control as before, I am really nervous, every time I get back im bloody
exhausted from all the concentration, smiling but exhausted.

I found I really missed the bikes, the open out in the air freeness, so I
bought a cabrio, its still not the same but I hate the feeling of being
stuck in a tin box, at least with a cabrio you can feel the wind in your
hair (while I've still got some).
Rode a bike everyday for 6 years, and at least once a week from the age of
15, raced anything I could afford,
Check out some of me bikes on http://www.angelfir­e.com/ultra/cbr6fs/ it's
about 2 years out of date but I can't be bothered to update it.

I guess when you ride bikes a lot then you perception of comfort and
distance change.

Grant I tried earplugs in me Miata yesterday, out on the motorway and in
town, absolutely crap mate, I did not like it at all, but I never got used
to the on the bike either.

Cheers Mark.


"XS11E" <xs11eNO@SPAMyahoo.­com> wrote in message
news:Xns960B2195F18­DBxs11eyahoocom@68.1­.17.6...> "Eric Baber" <Eric@netlearnlangu­ages.com> wrote in> news:38g3t8F5nt4tuU­1@individual.net:>
I gotta say a Miata really isn't what I want but I can't ride any>>> more and the Miata is the closet thing I've found to a>>> motorcycle..>>
Excellent choice. I had to sell my Ducati Monster and got a Miata>> for the same reason; I haven't regretted it (much). That's to say>> that I haven't regretted buying the Miata, though I have regretted>> having to sell the Duc. Oh well.>
I've got down to one bike, now, my 1985 Harley-Davidson FLTC, which> I'll sell eventually but it's got over 100,000 miles of memories on it,> coast to coast a couple of times, north to Yellowstone Park 5 times and> back, up the coast to Port Angeles once, dozens of trips to California,> New Mexico, Colorado, etc. I have trouble thinking about selling it.>
I think it's the travelling I'll miss the most. Unfortunately, it's> running around 100 miles/year for the last nine years and that's just> plain abuse. Plus, it's getting more and more unsafe to ride, when I> come to a stop I'm never sure if I'll be able to put a foot down. I> won't ride double anymore and SWMBO misses the travelling as well.> That's where Mr. Miata (or whatever I'll call him/her/it) comes in,> I'll still be able to see scenery by being out in it, not looking at it> through a frame (If you've read Persig you know what I mean by that.)> Also, I think the luggage capacity is about the same with the Harley-> Davidson having a little advantage! <G>>
Enjoy the Miata - and keep your leather jacket or whatever you>> used to wear on the bike, and the earplugs; they'll come in handy>> when you're driving with the top down in sub-freezing temperatures>> :-)­>
Thanks, could you please explain the unfamiliar term "sub-freezing> temperatures" for those of us who live in Phoenix, Arizona? <g>


Add comment


Gixer 28 February 2005 17:29:17 [ permanent link ]
 Natman, I think if you concentrate on the word DEDICATED mate you might find
that your dizziness will stop.

There is a major difference between an "open top sports car" and DEDICATED
sports car.

Ded-i-cated adj designed to carry out only one task, or set aside for a
purpose.



Non one would argue that a Miata is a sports car, but in my opinion a
dedicated sports car would be 1 or all of the car I listed.



Cheers Mark.



"Natman" <nat_mann@yahoo.com­> wrote in message
news:422250ab.20509­621@netnews.comcast.­net...> On Sun, 27 Feb 2005 06:28:50 +0200, "gixer" <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:>
Guys its a open top sports car.>
It [the Miata] was designed to be noisy, that's part of the appeal of a >>sports car.>
gixer 2/26/05>
Before we purchased our Miata's we knew that it was an open top sports >>car,>
gixer 2/26/05>
A Miata is not, has not, and never will be a dedicated sports car>
gixer 2/26/05>
I'm getting dizzy.


Add comment
Eric Baber 28 February 2005 19:10:02 [ permanent link ]
 
I think it's the travelling I'll miss the most. Unfortunately, it's> running around 100 miles/year for the last nine years and that's just> plain abuse. Plus, it's getting more and more unsafe to ride, when I> come to a stop I'm never sure if I'll be able to put a foot down. I> won't ride double anymore and SWMBO misses the travelling as well.> That's where Mr. Miata (or whatever I'll call him/her/it) comes in,> I'll still be able to see scenery by being out in it, not looking at it> through a frame (If you've read Persig you know what I mean by that.)

Synchronicity?! Am just re-reading the book at the moment. I read it first
15 years ago and that's probably what got me into biking; maybe it's me
missing my motorbike that caused me to read it again. It's better the second
time round since you know the main twist already so can focus on the rest,
and the meaning of the sentences, rather than trying to put the whole puzzle
together.
Thanks, could you please explain the unfamiliar term "sub-freezing> temperatures" for those of us who live in Phoenix, Arizona? <g>

Hah, so you'll never experience the joys of trying to make your way into a
cage that's frozen completely shut and needs a few buckets of warm water to
defrost, no? :-)­ (I refuse to use chemicals - an empty wine bottle filled up
with hot, but not too hot, water poured over the windscreen and the other
windows does the trick just fine. Though you'll need a few of those on
mornings like this morning when the doors and the boot [trunk to you] are
frozen shut as well.)

Eric


Add comment
Eric Baber 28 February 2005 19:14:54 [ permanent link ]
 
Last year I did 99438 km (61744 miles)> Used 12368 Litres (2720 uk gallons),> Averaged 8.04 km/L (22.7mpg),> Got a top fuel consumption figure of 9.97 km/L (28.16mpg)

Looks like something on your car needs adjusting! The lowest I get is around
25/26mpg, average around 30/31, and best is 35mpg. I get the lowest fuel
consumption when going at a steady 65-70mph. Any idea what's pushing your
consumption up?

Eric


Add comment
Scott Hughes 28 February 2005 19:24:50 [ permanent link ]
 rammm@REMOVE_THIS_TA­Gdommelen.net (Leon van Dommelen) wrote in
news:u5kv119ogp2rj3­9gec32fesej98g1qshhj­@4ax.com:
Scott Hughes <ScottHughes12@msn.­com> wrote:>
SD, CA to Datona Beach, FL : ~2500mi / 36hr (MS Mappoint estimate)>>
Following the "scenic" route: ~3125mi / 56hr (Mappoint estimate)>
Mileage is not really that relevant. Interstates do not have> all the delays. I invariably find that the scenic routes are> *much* more time consuming than mileage would indicate.

Granted, I was just listing the actual point-to-point mileages and
drivetimes (caveat: mappoint estimate, not necessarily accurate). My
main purpose was merely to point out that taking the scenic route didn't
require zig-zaging across the country and doubling the miles. Of course,
one should assume that when taking the scenic route, many extra miles
should be added for actually seeing the scenery. And of course any time
taken to stop and/or detour to enjoy the scenery is added to the point-
to-point drive time.

-Scott
Unfortunately, since the OP didn't specify wether he had the option to>>take some extra time to enjoy the trip, the discussion has digressed>>into arguing about wether that's feasable. I think the point is, if>>you have to get to point B in 48hrs, shipping is probably your best>>option. >
To go San Diego to Daytona Beach in 48 hours may get you into> trouble with law enforcement, if you drive and live. :)­>
Otoh, >>IF YOU HAVE TIME, take it, enjoy it.>>
Adding just an extra 600mi, this sounds like a pretty colorfull road->>trip. Of course, the gap between the Painted Desert and Houston is >>1300mi (roughly 22hrs). Probably would need another point of interest>>for that section. One option would be Carlsbad Caverns (adding>>another ~ 100mi), otherwise, I'm sure there's something worth looking>>at going thru Albuquerque and Amarillo on your way to Dallas, where>>you could tour Kennedy assasination tourist stuff. The other long>>stretch along the FL panhandle could be prettied up a bit by detouring>>on HWY 98 to run along the Gulf coast for a bit.>
Yes, 98 is very pretty. It is my favorite route if I have to be> in Panama City. However, it does triple the 2 hour drive time.> And that two hours includes imbecilic cops who think the posted> speed limit is the speed *limit*.>
-Scott>> -94 Black>> (and drooling over a friends 04 Ti MS)>
Leon, needs to get a MS.>

Add comment
Xs11e 28 February 2005 19:27:33 [ permanent link ]
 "Eric Baber" <Eric@netlearnlangu­ages.com> wrote in
news:38gqibF5lpamnU­1@individual.net:
I'll still be able to see scenery by being out in it, not looking at >> it through a frame (If you've read Persig you know what I mean by >> that.) >
Synchronicity?! Am just re-reading the book at the moment. I read> it first 15 years ago and that's probably what got me into biking;> maybe it's me missing my motorbike that caused me to read it> again. It's better the second time round since you know the main> twist already so can focus on the rest, and the meaning of the> sentences, rather than trying to put the whole puzzle together.

I read it several times, once I went through it with maps and just
followed the route.... it's not a quick read.

NOTE: To those who don't know to what we're referring, it's "Zen and
the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Persig. Don't be put off,
it's got very little to do with Zen or with motorcycle maintenance.
You may find the book in the philosophy section of your bookstore if
that gives you a hint?
Add comment
Gixer 28 February 2005 19:34:14 [ permanent link ]
 Hi Eric, I think it's a few things,

1/ Mine is an Automatic, which eats a lot of power and fuel
2/ I live in Athens, it's not uncommon for it to take 2 hours for the 30km
journey to the office.
3/ It's Greece, my air-con is on nearly every drive during the summer, and a
fair bit in winter (de-fogging)
4/ I do tend to be a bit heavy with the right foot, those averages also
included track days.
5/ On all the trips the car is pretty much fully loaded, suitcase on a boat
rack , the area between the windstopper and boot was chock bang full, as was
the boot.
6/ I very rarely put my top up, unless it's raining.
I don't know if anyone has every tested the wind coefficeancy difference
between top up and top down, but I know I can consistently pull higher revs
in top gear with the top down, than with it up.

Other than that I don't know mate, I have a Goodwin racing carbon filter
kit, a custom exhaust, but I don't think they are going to affect the mpg
either way.
I roughly getting about 300km per tank.

Is yours an Auto?

"Eric Baber" <Eric@netlearnlangu­ages.com> wrote in message
news:38gqrfF5n4me8U­1@individual.net...>­> Last year I did 99438 km (61744 miles)>> Used 12368 Litres (2720 uk gallons),>> Averaged 8.04 km/L (22.7mpg),>> Got a top fuel consumption figure of 9.97 km/L (28.16mpg)>
Looks like something on your car needs adjusting! The lowest I get is > around> 25/26mpg, average around 30/31, and best is 35mpg. I get the lowest fuel> consumption when going at a steady 65-70mph. Any idea what's pushing your> consumption up?>
Eric>


Add comment
Grant Edwards 28 February 2005 19:35:19 [ permanent link ]
 On 2005-02-28, gixer <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:
Grant I tried earplugs in me Miata yesterday, out on the motorway and in > town, absolutely crap mate, I did not like it at all, but I never got used > to the on the bike either.

They do take some getting used to, and I rarely wear earplugs
in town. But, when driving all day on the freeway, I find I get
much less tired and "numb".

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! Did we bring enough
at BEEF JERKY?
visi.com
Add comment
Gixer 28 February 2005 21:22:05 [ permanent link ]
 Natman, please read my posts again, to help you I have copied and pasted my
previous comments below.

"It would take me hours to write all the completely unsuitable cars"

"To be honest I can't think of many cars that are AS suitable as the MX-5"

It was as I said at the time, the list I came up with was, JUST A FEW that
came to mind.

I am not going to sit for hours and write the name of every car I believe to
be less suitable than the Miata.

I do not think it would prove too much of a stretch of your imagination to
realise that if I did indeed write I list it would be extremely long, which
is exactly the impression I gave from my previous posts.
I would like to suggest that you should read through posts completely before
commenting.

It would also be helpful to us and further your point if you would let us
know, what cars (I think within the price spec of the Miata in the original
post is fare, which I believe is a 20003 Special Edition) you believe are
more suitable to the task discussed and why, so that we may comment on your
views, rather than has been in this case asking for other peoples comments
and then attempting to shoot holes in their views.

And please bare in mind that this is something that is completely
subjective, one mans tourer is another mans sports car.

Cheers


"Natman" <nat_mann@yahoo.com­> wrote in message
news:422347cc.43295­65@netnews.comcast.n­et...> On Mon, 28 Feb 2005 15:29:17 +0200, "gixer" <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:>
Natman, I think if you concentrate on the word DEDICATED mate you might >>find>>that your dizziness will stop.>>
There is a major difference between an "open top sports car" and DEDICATED>>sports car.>>
Ded-i-cated adj designed to carry out only one task, or set aside for a>>purpose.>>
Non one would argue that a Miata is a sports car, but in my opinion a>>dedicated sports car would be 1 or all of the car I listed.>>
Cheers Mark.>>
I figured that dedicated was the key. Thanks for managing to come up> with a list of cars that would actually be LESS suitable for a long> trip than the Miata. Note that it is a short list.>


Add comment
Gixer 1 March 2005 00:10:24 [ permanent link ]
 I think we are going to have to agree to disagree Natman.

The furthest I can remember travelling in 1 day, was Athens to Bucharest
which was about 700 miles, there is no way to travel this length of time (if
memory serves it was about 20 hours with lunch & petrol stops and customs)
sitting in one place, that can possibly be comfortable, if I spend 20 hours
in bed, I would be aching the next day.

What I did find was that the Miata was as comfortable, as any other car I
have driven (and that is many), if not more so, the low slung legs out in
front of position, for me is extremely comfortable.
I am 5'8 so not the exactly in Dennis Rodmen territory, I have also shaped
the seat to fit me better, so small things can make a big difference, also
mine is an Automatic so the gearing is really low in top, and we found a way
around the luggage problem (luggage rack),

I understand what you are saying Natman, but from my experiences of long
distance driving, in many different types, makes, engines sizes gearbox
types, the Miata, is very near the top for long distance driving.

The only cars I have driven that MAYBE challenge the Miata are the old type
BMW M5, an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage and a TVR Cerbera all of which were
fairly new at the time and in a different country as far as price goes.

I don't know if it's the same car your referring to, but we have the
Chrysler Neon in the UK, and I had the misfortune of having one as a
replacement for my Ford Mondeo while it was in for accident repairs, I think
it was a 2.0L but it was terrible,
It was a supposed to be an upgrade from the Mondeo, as it was fully kitted
with everything, in the 2-3 weeks I had it, went back to the garage at least
4 times, after the 3rd time I swapped cars with my wife (a 1994 VW Golf) it
was that bad, so reliability is more important than comfort.

Each to their own though Natman,
But I honestly feel you are missing out on so much, doing a trip in a open
top car is a completely different experience than in a saloon,
To me the feeling of the wind, the noise and smells are what make a trip
memorable trip, rather than just a trip, and that to me outweighs any
shortcomings with the car.

Cheers



"Natman" <nat_mann@yahoo.com­> wrote in message
news:42236642.12127­107@netnews.comcast.­net...> On Mon, 28 Feb 2005 19:22:05 +0200, "gixer" <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:>
Natman, please read my posts again, to help you I have copied and pasted >>my>>previous comments below.>>
"It would take me hours to write all the completely unsuitable cars">>
"To be honest I can't think of many cars that are AS suitable as the MX-5">>
It was as I said at the time, the list I came up with was, JUST A FEW that>>came to mind.>>
I am not going to sit for hours and write the name of every car I believe >>to>>be less suitable than the Miata.>>
I do not think it would prove too much of a stretch of your imagination to>>realise that if I did indeed write I list it would be extremely long, >>which>>is exactly the impression I gave from my previous posts.>>I would like to suggest that you should read through posts completely >>before>>commentin­g.>>
It would also be helpful to us and further your point if you would let us>>know, what cars (I think within the price spec of the Miata in the >>original>>post is fare, which I believe is a 20003 Special Edition) you believe are>>more suitable to the task discussed and why, so that we may comment on >>your>>views, rather than has been in this case asking for other peoples comments>>and then attempting to shoot holes in their views.>>
And please bare in mind that this is something that is completely>>subject­ive, one mans tourer is another mans sports car.>>
Cheers>>
The Miata is a fine car in many ways, I enjoy mine very much. But it> is specialized, sacrificing comfort for handling and light weight. For> the SPECIALIZED circumstances of driving a long distance freeway trip> of 12 hour days droning along at 70 mph or so the Miata is not really> suitable because:>
It is tiny. I have found a position that is reasonably comfortable,> but it is the ONLY one. Having to hold it for 12 hours a day would be> awful.>
It turns 4000 RPM at 70. Listening to the constant drone would be most> unpleasant.>
It rides like a sports car.>
There is no room for luggage.>
The fine handling and responsiveness that makes a Miata so great is> wasted under these circumstances.>
So again, *exclusively* for the specialized task of long distance> touring, almost ANY car would be better suited. A Toyota Camry. A> Dodge Neon. At least you could vary your position, hear yourself think> and carry a cooler in the back. For 12 hour days of straightline> cruising you WANT a little bit of that "rolling couch" in the mix.> Comfort is key and the Miata simply doesn't have it.>
If you can draw a night-and-day distinction between a "dedicated> sports car" and a "sports car", surely you can understand the> difference between a "sports car" and a "touring car".>


Add comment
Natman 1 March 2005 01:58:03 [ permanent link ]
 On Mon, 28 Feb 2005 22:10:24 +0200, "gixer" <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:
I think we are going to have to agree to disagree Natman.>
The furthest I can remember travelling in 1 day, was Athens to Bucharest >which was about 700 miles, there is no way to travel this length of time (if >memory serves it was about 20 hours with lunch & petrol stops and customs) >sitting in one place, that can possibly be comfortable, if I spend 20 hours >in bed, I would be aching the next day.>
Precisely my point.
What I did find was that the Miata was as comfortable, as any other car I >have driven (and that is many), if not more so, the low slung legs out in >front of position, for me is extremely comfortable.>I am 5'8 so not the exactly in Dennis Rodmen territory, I have also shaped >the seat to fit me better, so small things can make a big difference, also >mine is an Automatic so the gearing is really low in top, and we found a way >around the luggage problem (luggage rack),
I'm six feet tall. That extra four inches does make a difference in
the number of positions the Miata offers.
I understand what you are saying Natman, but from my experiences of long >distance driving, in many different types, makes, engines sizes gearbox >types, the Miata, is very near the top for long distance driving.>
The only cars I have driven that MAYBE challenge the Miata are the old type >BMW M5, an Aston Martin DB7 Vantage and a TVR Cerbera all of which were >fairly new at the time and in a different country as far as price goes.>
I don't know if it's the same car your referring to, but we have the >Chrysler Neon in the UK, and I had the misfortune of having one as a >replacement for my Ford Mondeo while it was in for accident repairs, I think >it was a 2.0L but it was terrible,>It was a supposed to be an upgrade from the Mondeo, as it was fully kitted >with everything, in the 2-3 weeks I had it, went back to the garage at least >4 times, after the 3rd time I swapped cars with my wife (a 1994 VW Golf) it >was that bad, so reliability is more important than comfort.

Sorry you had a bad experience with yours. The Neon may not be the
most reliable car out there, but your experience was NOT typical. >
Each to their own though Natman,>But I honestly feel you are missing out on so much, doing a trip in a open >top car is a completely different experience than in a saloon,>To me the feeling of the wind, the noise and smells are what make a trip >memorable trip, rather than just a trip, and that to me outweighs any >shortcomings with the car.>
I love riding with the top down too. 12 hours at a stretch on the
freeway would be a bit much for me though, especially through Arizona
and New Mexico where odds are it is either blazing hot (100 F, 38C)
or winter.
Cheers
Let's let it rest at that. Best of luck.
Add comment
Leon van Dommelen 1 March 2005 04:08:27 [ permanent link ]
 BruJan@webtv.net (BRUCE HASKIN) wrote:
WOW ! That is a lot of seat time !>
Let's see, If you drove 8 hr's a day 5 days a week, that's 2080 hours a>year and you needed to stop for gas, eat and pee, plus start and stop,>you needed to average 28.846153 miles per hour. [ it is hard to average>much faster than that, no matter where you drive ]

With having to post 10 or so 10,000 word messages a day on at least
this group, he must be averaging 50 mph at least. :)­

Leon

You must have a good>paying job on the week-ends to do that ! :-)­>
Bruce RED '91

--
Leon van Dommelen :)­ Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen­.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)
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Bruce Haskin 1 March 2005 08:49:38 [ permanent link ]
 Gee, I would think that a "dedicated sports car" would be one that could
only be driven on a 'track"! What else would it be "dedicated" to ? I'm
sure that Mazda did not have that in mind when they designed the MX-5 !
They would not have put in "air bags" for the US much less A/C, a radio,
turn signals and a horn ! (Not used on any track I have driven on :-)­ )

Please let's not cross compitition sports cars with streetable sports
cars. They just are not the same items. I know the UK and EU people love
to throw around their talk about "True Sports Cars", but a street car is
a street car and NOT a track only car !

Just my take on this. ( some of you are just blowing smoke out your
..... "nose". )

Bruce RED '91

Add comment
Tom 1 March 2005 13:03:37 [ permanent link ]
 On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 05:24:02 -0800, "Randy Maheux"
<randymaheux@cox.ne­t> wrote:
In 5 weeks I will be moving from San Diego to the Daytona Beach area. My>problem is getting my Miata back east. I could drive it in 4 - 12 hour days>or pay Mayflower to haul it with my furniture. Nine years ago I was a>zombie after driving a Ford Ranger from Tampa to San Diego in 4 days. Now,>at age 60, I am really tempted to let the movers do it. Using Mayflower>adds $600 to the cost but the thought of 45 hours in a car that I can't take>a nap in seems daunting. I might even come to hate my dual exhaust by the>time I got there!>
My thinking seems stuck on weighing the cost against the discomfort.>Perhaps­, someone in the group can give me other factors to consider or>things to look out for if I decide to ship the car. I could really use some>group wisdom on this....>
If you were on vacation with plenty of time or retired and merely
messing around I'd say take plenty of time and enjoy the trip.

If the goal is to merely complete a move and do it in the shortest and
easiet manner than I would say it's $600 wisely spent.

At 56 I ain't up to beating myself up ....My sister's company moved
her back to West Palm Beach from Riverside a few years back and I
think Mayflower was the mover and all went well...with both the auto
and furniture.

She shipped me an old mercedes from Fl. using some fly-by-night auto
movers and it turned out to be a nightmare...wasn't worth the few
bucks she tried to save.

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Eric Baber 1 March 2005 14:00:37 [ permanent link ]
 
1/ Mine is an Automatic, which eats a lot of power and fuel

Yuk!!!! What'cha do that for??!! (Get an auto, that is!)
2/ I live in Athens, it's not uncommon for it to take 2 hours for the 30km> journey to the office.> 3/ It's Greece, my air-con is on nearly every drive during the summer, and
fair bit in winter (de-fogging)> 4/ I do tend to be a bit heavy with the right foot, those averages also> included track days.> 5/ On all the trips the car is pretty much fully loaded, suitcase on a
boat> rack , the area between the windstopper and boot was chock bang full, as
the boot.> 6/ I very rarely put my top up, unless it's raining.

OK - all of those will definitely add substantially to your fuel
consumption.
I don't know if anyone has every tested the wind coefficeancy difference> between top up and top down, but I know I can consistently pull higher
revs> in top gear with the top down, than with it up.

I haven't noticed that, but I definitely have noticed the fuel consumption
going up when the top is down.
I roughly getting about 300km per tank.

I get 420km without the warning light coming on yet. I suspect I'd get about
450km.
Is yours an Auto?

Good God no!!!

Honestly, why did you get an automatic?! I'm not being flippant, but did
your motorbike crash do some damage to one of your legs? Have you ever
driven a manual MX5? It's like night and day, and if you like the feeling of
a motorbike you'll definitely prefer a manual over an automatic.

And you take your automatic on a track? The mind boggles...

Eric


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Gixer 1 March 2005 15:44:56 [ permanent link ]
 Hi Eric,

Yea the bike crashed paralysed me left arm, Brachial Plexus injury mate. so
an Auto it has to be.

:(­

"Eric Baber" <Eric@netlearnlangu­ages.com> wrote in message
news:38isq5F5jo1q8U­1@individual.net...>­> 1/ Mine is an Automatic, which eats a lot of power and fuel>
Yuk!!!! What'cha do that for??!! (Get an auto, that is!)>
2/ I live in Athens, it's not uncommon for it to take 2 hours for the >> 30km>> journey to the office.>> 3/ It's Greece, my air-con is on nearly every drive during the summer, >> and> a>> fair bit in winter (de-fogging)>> 4/ I do tend to be a bit heavy with the right foot, those averages also>> included track days.>> 5/ On all the trips the car is pretty much fully loaded, suitcase on a> boat>> rack , the area between the windstopper and boot was chock bang full, as> was>> the boot.>> 6/ I very rarely put my top up, unless it's raining.>
OK - all of those will definitely add substantially to your fuel> consumption.>
I don't know if anyone has every tested the wind coefficeancy difference>> between top up and top down, but I know I can consistently pull higher> revs>> in top gear with the top down, than with it up.>
I haven't noticed that, but I definitely have noticed the fuel consumption> going up when the top is down.>
I roughly getting about 300km per tank.>
I get 420km without the warning light coming on yet. I suspect I'd get > about> 450km.>
Is yours an Auto?>
Good God no!!!>
Honestly, why did you get an automatic?! I'm not being flippant, but did> your motorbike crash do some damage to one of your legs? Have you ever> driven a manual MX5? It's like night and day, and if you like the feeling > of> a motorbike you'll definitely prefer a manual over an automatic.>
And you take your automatic on a track? The mind boggles...>
Eric>


Add comment
Gixer 1 March 2005 15:46:31 [ permanent link ]
 Oh well Leon, I suppose it's a good work out for me good arm.
And it is very boring at work right now, and raining cats and dogs, so no
extended fishing trips.
:(­


"Leon van Dommelen" <rammm@REMOVE_THIS_­TAGdommelen.net> wrote in message
news:0ec7219c5n5818­bft7mobthaq5knstkj5p­@4ax.com...> BruJan@webtv.net (BRUCE HASKIN) wrote:>
WOW ! That is a lot of seat time !>>
Let's see, If you drove 8 hr's a day 5 days a week, that's 2080 hours a>>year and you needed to stop for gas, eat and pee, plus start and stop,>>you needed to average 28.846153 miles per hour. [ it is hard to average>>much faster than that, no matter where you drive ]>
With having to post 10 or so 10,000 word messages a day on at least> this group, he must be averaging 50 mph at least. :)­>
Leon>
You must have a good>>paying job on the week-ends to do that ! :-)­>>
Bruce RED '91>
-- > Leon van Dommelen :)­ Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)> rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen­.net/miata> EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)


Add comment
Leon van Dommelen 1 March 2005 17:26:15 [ permanent link ]
 "gixer" <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:
Hi Eric, I think it's a few things,>
1/ Mine is an Automatic, which eats a lot of power and fuel>2/ I live in Athens, it's not uncommon for it to take 2 hours for the 30km >journey to the office.>3/ It's Greece, my air-con is on nearly every drive during the summer, and a >fair bit in winter (de-fogging)>4/ I do tend to be a bit heavy with the right foot, those averages also >included track days.>5/ On all the trips the car is pretty much fully loaded, suitcase on a boat >rack , the area between the windstopper and boot was chock bang full, as was >the boot.>6/ I very rarely put my top up, unless it's raining.>I don't know if anyone has every tested the wind coefficeancy difference >between top up and top down, but I know I can consistently pull higher revs >in top gear with the top down, than with it up.

Mazda lists the drag coefficient as 0.38 top up and 0.42 top down,
IIRC. How that would allow you to pull higher revs with top
down is beyond me.

Leon
Other than that I don't know mate, I have a Goodwin racing carbon filter >kit, a custom exhaust, but I don't think they are going to affect the mpg >either way.>I roughly getting about 300km per tank.>
Is yours an Auto?>
"Eric Baber" <Eric@netlearnlangu­ages.com> wrote in message >news:38gqrfF5n4me8­U1@individual.net...­>>> Last year I did 99438 km (61744 miles)>>> Used 12368 Litres (2720 uk gallons),>>> Averaged 8.04 km/L (22.7mpg),>>> Got a top fuel consumption figure of 9.97 km/L (28.16mpg)>>
Looks like something on your car needs adjusting! The lowest I get is >> around>> 25/26mpg, average around 30/31, and best is 35mpg. I get the lowest fuel>> consumption when going at a steady 65-70mph. Any idea what's pushing your>> consumption up?>>
Eric>>

--
Leon van Dommelen :)­ Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)
rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen­.net/miata
EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)
Add comment
Gixer 1 March 2005 18:02:54 [ permanent link ]
 
Mazda lists the drag coefficient as 0.38 top up and 0.42 top down,> IIRC. How that would allow you to pull higher revs with top> down is beyond me.

No idea mate, but I have noticed that top down windows up, consistently
pulls higher revs in top gear, therefore faster top speed.
Tried lights both up and down, but got no consistent results.


"Leon van Dommelen" <rammm@REMOVE_THIS_­TAGdommelen.net> wrote in message
news:qar821pv67lnnj­0mi0nb5m2mbu4t5c700p­@4ax.com...> "gixer" <gixer@otenet.gr> wrote:>
Hi Eric, I think it's a few things,>>
1/ Mine is an Automatic, which eats a lot of power and fuel>>2/ I live in Athens, it's not uncommon for it to take 2 hours for the 30km>>journey to the office.>>3/ It's Greece, my air-con is on nearly every drive during the summer, and >>a>>fair bit in winter (de-fogging)>>4/ I do tend to be a bit heavy with the right foot, those averages also>>included track days.>>5/ On all the trips the car is pretty much fully loaded, suitcase on a >>boat>>rack , the area between the windstopper and boot was chock bang full, as >>was>>the boot.>>6/ I very rarely put my top up, unless it's raining.>>I don't know if anyone has every tested the wind coefficeancy difference>>between­ top up and top down, but I know I can consistently pull higher >>revs>>in top gear with the top down, than with it up.>
Mazda lists the drag coefficient as 0.38 top up and 0.42 top down,> IIRC. How that would allow you to pull higher revs with top> down is beyond me.>
Leon>
Other than that I don't know mate, I have a Goodwin racing carbon filter>>kit, a custom exhaust, but I don't think they are going to affect the mpg>>either way.>>I roughly getting about 300km per tank.>>
Is yours an Auto?>>
"Eric Baber" <Eric@netlearnlangu­ages.com> wrote in message>>news:38gqr­fF5n4me8U1@individua­l.net...>>>> Last year I did 99438 km (61744 miles)>>>> Used 12368 Litres (2720 uk gallons),>>>> Averaged 8.04 km/L (22.7mpg),>>>> Got a top fuel consumption figure of 9.97 km/L (28.16mpg)>>>
Looks like something on your car needs adjusting! The lowest I get is>>> around>>> 25/26mpg, average around 30/31, and best is 35mpg. I get the lowest fuel>>> consumption when going at a steady 65-70mph. Any idea what's pushing >>> your>>> consumption up?>>>
Eric>>>
-- > Leon van Dommelen :)­ Bozo, the White 96 Sebring Miata .)> rammm@dommelen.net http://www.dommelen­.net/miata> EXIT THE INTERSTATES (Jamie Jensen)


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CarGuru > Mazda > What am I missing? 1 March 2005 18:02:54
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